Proofreading Rates Thread poster: Yo Mizuno
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Yo Mizuno Japan Local time: 18:13 Japanese to English + ...
Hi. I was just contacted by a company and was asked for my proofreading rates. Can anyone give me any guidelines as to how much I should charge? In this isntance, the project is translation from Vietnamese to Japanese (I do not speak Vietnamese) and they would like me to check the Japanese. | | |
Hipyan Nopri Indonesia Local time: 16:13 Member (2005) English to Indonesian + ...
my best rate for proofreading/editing is US$53 per hour per 500 words, Yo. However, your case seems really strange. How could you proofread Vietnamese to Japanese documents without proficiency in Vietnamese? In fact, as a major prerequisite proofreader/editor must be proficient in both languages. Without knowing Vietnamese, how could you determine that a Japanese word/phrase/sentence is inappropriate?
[Edited at 2006-11-24 07:50] | | |
Yo Mizuno Japan Local time: 18:13 Japanese to English + ... TOPIC STARTER In agreement | Nov 24, 2006 |
Thank you very much for your input. That is the exact point that I was questioning as well... I am actually new in this business and just wondered what other people thought about this. Thank you! | | |
JulietteC Local time: 10:13 English to French
Yes, it is indeed a bit strange, but I already had the same case : I checked a patent without having the source text, but ONLY for spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes. The agency did not worry about the meaning as the translators were very specialized in the area, but just wanted to be sure that the French was correct (as the translator apparently was more a scientist then a linguist). I assume this is the same case here. Just be sure that they ... See more Yes, it is indeed a bit strange, but I already had the same case : I checked a patent without having the source text, but ONLY for spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes. The agency did not worry about the meaning as the translators were very specialized in the area, but just wanted to be sure that the French was correct (as the translator apparently was more a scientist then a linguist). I assume this is the same case here. Just be sure that they only want this kind of proof-reading. A full proof-reading with no knowledge of the source language is of course impossible. Cheers, Juliette. ▲ Collapse | |
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Nothing strange about this | Nov 24, 2006 |
Assuming that the client means proofreading and not editing, you don't need proficiency in the source language as you will only check on grammar, spelling and punctuation of the source text. The agency hopefully carried out an editing step beforehand in which it was checked if, in this case, the Japanese translation reflects the Vietnamese source text correctly. The only instance where you would need the source text in a proofreading step would be if you have to check that figures have been copi... See more Assuming that the client means proofreading and not editing, you don't need proficiency in the source language as you will only check on grammar, spelling and punctuation of the source text. The agency hopefully carried out an editing step beforehand in which it was checked if, in this case, the Japanese translation reflects the Vietnamese source text correctly. The only instance where you would need the source text in a proofreading step would be if you have to check that figures have been copied correctly from the source to the translation. Agencies often say proofreading and mean editing, let's not start making the same mistake. Editing means a check of the translation against the source text, proofreading is checking grammar, punctuation and spelling, disregarding the source text. It is always advisable to ask the agency if they really mean proofreading or if they mean editing, but, in your case, if you've told them that you don't speak Vietnamese they probably really mean only proofreading. ▲ Collapse | | |
Hipyan Nopri Indonesia Local time: 16:13 Member (2005) English to Indonesian + ... Right, Juliette & Ingo | Nov 24, 2006 |
Agencies often interchange the terms 'proofreading' and 'editing.' In fact, both refer to different meanings as explained by Ingo. If what the agency means is real proofreading, the job is accpetable. However, if it involves editing, it must be rejected. Good luck Yo. | | |
Patricia Rosas United States Local time: 02:13 Spanish to English + ... In memoriam the difference between proofreading and editing ... | Nov 24, 2006 |
Ingo Dierkschnieder wrote: Assuming that the client means proofreading and not editing, you don't need proficiency in the source language as you will only check on grammar, spelling and punctuation of the source text. The agency hopefully carried out an editing step beforehand in which it was checked if, in this case, the Japanese translation reflects the Vietnamese source text correctly. Isn't it the reverse? As I understand it, proofreading means to check the target text against the source text. Editing is preparing the text for publication (or for its ultimate destination). So, if the client wants the work checked for grammatical and spelling errors and infelicities in style (line editing), it can be done without reference to the source text. On the other hand, if no one has checked the target text against the source text (proofreading), that step has to be done (but perhaps the translator checked his or her own work). If I'm wrong, I'd like to be set straight... | | |
Textklick Local time: 09:13 German to English + ... In memoriam
Patricia Rosas wrote: Ingo Dierkschnieder wrote: Assuming that the client means proofreading and not editing, you don't need proficiency in the source language as you will only check on grammar, spelling and punctuation of the source text. If I'm wrong, I'd like to be set straight... Hi Patricia: I'm with Ingo (see also page 3 at http://www.proz.com/topic/59989?start=30&float=. ["Reviewing, checking, editing, proofreading etc. etc??? As others have suggested, the term proofreading seems to be misunderstood. As I understand it, the three prime areas in our business are..."]) Cheers Chris
[Edited at 2006-11-24 17:56] | |
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Yo Mizuno Japan Local time: 18:13 Japanese to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Thank you all for your advice and comments. I was not aware of the difference between "proofreading" and "editing". I did ask the client what exactly they wanted and they replied back to me saying that what they wanted was "profreading" and not "editiing". So they just needed me to check the document for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and general flow, etc. Again, this has been very helpful. Thank you all! | | |
When "Proofreading" Becomes (Copy)Editing | Nov 28, 2006 |
I frequently am asked to "proofread" other translators' work, even if the source language does not figure in my own language pairs. I find so many mistranslations, grammatical errors, and so much misplaced punctuation that, at times, it seems I have to rewrite entire sentences. I wouldn't let my work get away from my desk without perfecting it as much as possible. It seems that in my case what I'm actually doing is copyediting (not just proofreading) so that the correct meaning and style... See more I frequently am asked to "proofread" other translators' work, even if the source language does not figure in my own language pairs. I find so many mistranslations, grammatical errors, and so much misplaced punctuation that, at times, it seems I have to rewrite entire sentences. I wouldn't let my work get away from my desk without perfecting it as much as possible. It seems that in my case what I'm actually doing is copyediting (not just proofreading) so that the correct meaning and style comes across in the final product. Sometimes this makes me wonder if I'm not being underpaid for this work. ▲ Collapse | | |
Anthony Indra United States Local time: 02:13 Member (2002) English to Indonesian + ... Tips for proofreading (that eventually editing) | Dec 6, 2006 |
[quote]femme wrote: I frequently am asked to "proofread" other translators' work, even if the source language does not figure in my own language pairs. I find so many mistranslations, grammatical errors, and so much misplaced punctuation that, at times, it seems I have to rewrite entire sentences. ----------------------------------- Perhaps you could ask to see the translation first, before quoting your price. | | |